The Authentic Valmiki Ramayana

Sarama reassures Sita by telling her that the head brought before her was not of Sri Rama, who was alive and would soon be able to see her, and asked her not to be afraid.Recitation: 00:00 - 06:43Translation: 06:48 - 15:13

Sita bursts into a wail at the sight of Sri Rama's head and bow, when Ravana is abruptly called away by an emissary and after consultation with his ministers prepares his forces for action against the army of Sri Rama.Recitation: 00:00 - 07:40Translation: 07:44 - 17:59

Perturbed to find from the spies sent to him that Sri Rama had taken up his position near the Suvela mountain, Ravana takes counsel with his ministers and, after dismissing them, approaches Sita with Vidyujjihva, who was a past master in conjuring tricks. Telling her how her husband had been killed by him with his entire army, he produces before her as an evidence the counterfeit head of Sri Rama brought by Vidyujjihva.Recitation: 00:00 - 07:33Translation: 07:38 - 17:58

Dispatched by Ravana to ascertain the strength of the simian army, the ogre Shardula acquaints his master with the topmost leaders of the monkeys.Recitation: 00:00 - 05:52Translation: 05:55 - 14:00

Snubbing Shuka and Saarana, Ravana expels them from his court and dispatches Shardoola and other ogres for espionage. Captured by the monkeys, the ogres are thrashed by them and get released by Sri Rama. Returning to Lanka, they too speak to Ravana about the army of monkeys.Recitation: 00:00 - 05:12Translation: 05:16 - 11:57

Shuka completes the account given by Saarana.Recitation: 00:00 - 07:12Translation: 07:15 - 15:58

Mentioning the names of other monkey-generals, Saarana proceeds to describe their individual valour.Recitation: 00:00 - 08:13Translation:08:17 - 17:55

Climbing up the roof of his palace on hearing the submissionof Saarana and surveying the entire army of monkeys, Ravana inquires about the monkey leaders and Saarana shows to him Hanuman and others along with their distinguishing marks.Recitation: 00:00 - 08:03Translation: 08:07 - 17:33

On Sri Rama having crossed over to the other side of the sea, Ravana commands his ministers, Shuka and Shaarana, to enter the enemy's ranks and tell him everything about them. Detected while doing the work of a spy, they are captured by Vibhishana, but let go by Sri Rama. Going back to Ravana, they exhort the latter to hand over Sita to Sri Rama.Recitation: 00:00 - 05:45Translation: 05:48 - 13:36

Beholding Lanka and applauding it, nay, drawing up his army in battle array, Sri Rama orders the release of Shuka (a spy of Ravana), who was captured earlier and kept under detention by the monkeys. Going back to Ravana, the ogre speaks to him about the military strength of Sri Rama. Infuriated by this report, Ravana vauntingly harps on his own prowess.Recitation: 00: 00 - 07:34Translation: 07:38 - 18:30

Sri Rama speaks of evil portents to Lakshmana.Recitation: 00:00 - 02:53Translation: 02:55 - 06:38

Seized with terror to see a missile presided over by Brahma (the creator) fitted to his bow by Sri Rama in fury, the sea-god undertakes to sustain on his bosom a bridge to be constructed by Nala, and goes out of sight. Nala accordingly builds a bridge across the sea.Recitation: 00:00 - 14:22Translation: 14:26 - 34:05

When the sea did not, even when requested, allow a passage to Sri Rama, who was keen to cross it, nor did the sea-god care to appear in person before him. Sri Rama discharges fierce arrows which cause a stir among the creatures inhabiting the sea , and make the sea water overflow.Recitation: 00:00 - 05:55Translation: 06:01 - 14:42

Told by an ogre, Shardula by name, that an army of monkeys led by Sugriva was advancing towards Lanka, Ravana dispatched an ogre, Shuka by name, as an envoy to carry his message to Sugriva. While commencing to deliver the message to Sugriva, Shuka is captured by the monkeys; but Sri Ramam causes him to be set free and he delivers the message to Sugriva.Recitation: 00:00 - 06:32Translation: 06:37 - 15:25

Falling at the feet of Sri Rama on coming down to the earth along with his ministers, when he had received an assurance of safety from Sri Rama, Vibhishana submits to the former that, having been reprimanded by his eldest brother, Ravana, he has sought refuge with him, and on being questioned by Sri Rama tells him everything about Ravana.Recitation: 00:00 - 06:54Translation: 06:58 - 17:17

Having heard the arguments of his counsellors, Sri Rama decides to accept Vibhishana as his own.Recitation: 00:00 - 06:40Translation: 06:45 - 16:10

Vibhishana seeks the protection of Sri Rama and the latter holds consultation with his counsellors on the question of giving him shelter.Recitation: 00:00 - 11:09Translation: 11:14 - 27:32

Annoyed to hear this advice of his youngest half-brother, Vibhishana, which though unpleasant to hear, was most wholesome, Ravana, on whom it made no impression, castigates him with harsh words.Recitation: 00:00 - 04:53Translation: 04:57 - 11:33

Reproaching in a language which, though harsh, was yet comfortable to truth, Indrajit, who was indulging in a boastful speech, on hearing the advice of Vibhishana, the latter repeats that conciliation of Rama was the only opportune and salutary course.Recitation: 00:00 - 03:22Translation: 03:25 - 07:50

Vibhishana exhorts Ravana to restore Sita to Sri Rama, before the latter arrows pierced the heads of the ogres.Recitation: 00:00 - 05:12Translation: 05:18 - 12:42

Advised by Mahapaarshva to use violence against Sita, Ravana pleads his inability to do so because of a curse pronounced against him in the past by Brahma, and boasts of his own valour.Recitation: 00:00 - 03:48Translation: 03:51 - 08:57

Ravana orders his Commander-in-Chief, Prahasta, to make adequate arrangements for the defence of the city and to apprise Kumbhakarna of the whole situation now that he had woken from his long slumber.Recitation: 00:00 - 06:55Translation: 07:00 - 17:12

When Ravana entered the assembly hall to hold consultations with his counsellors, other leading ogres as well as Vibhishana follow suit.Recitation : 00:00 - 06:03Translation: 06:08 - 15:07

Making his way into the palace of his eldest (half-) brother early next morning and drawing his attention to the evil portents, Vibhishana appeals to his good sense by making a timely submission.Recitation: 00:00 - 05:35Translation: 05:39 - 13:25

Restraining the ogres, who were boasting each of his own strength, Vibhishana begins to talk wisdom, on which Ravana retires to his own palace.Recitation: 00:00 - 04:12Translation: 04:18 - 09:58

Prahasta and others reassure Ravana by vauntingly vowing the death of Sri Rama and others.Recitation: 00:00 - 04:12Translation: 04:16 - 08:56

Indulging in praise of their own might on hearing the command of Ravana, all the ogres present stimulate him with confidence, asking him not to give way to despondency.Recitation: 00:00 - 04:20Translation: 04:24 - 10:50

At Lanka, Ravana holds consultation with the ogres on the means of victory in the contingency of a conflict with the monkeys.Recitation: 00:00 - 03:25Translation: 03:30 - 07:50

While talking with Lakshmana, Sri Rama is reminded of Sita and, smitten with pangs of love, gives way to grief and lamentation.Recitation: 00:00 - 04:10Translation: 04:12 - 09:40

Hearing the report of Hanuman, Sri Rama fixes a propitious hour for the departure of his forces for Lanka, and perceives good omens.Recitation: 00:00 - 20:40Translation: 20:45 - 48:10

Enquired about Lanka by Sri Rama on his hearing the appeal of Sugriva, Hanuman gives a detailed description of Lanka as he saw it.Recitation: 00:00 - 05:45Translation: 05:50 - 14:00

Sugriva heartens Sri Rama, who is tormented with grief, by asking him to take courage.Recitation: 00:00 - 04:25Translation: 04:31 - 10:14

Hearing the report of Hanuman, and highly rejoiced at his having done something worthy of a noble servant, which could not be accomplished by anyone else, Sri Rama applauds him and clasps him to his bosom.Recitation: 00:00 - 03:32Translation: 03:36 - 08:27

Hanuman tells Sri Rama, how Sita expressed her doubt in the first instance about a monkey being able to leap across a vast sea and how her doubt was resolved by him.Recitation: 00:00 - 05:10Translation: 05:13 - 12:00*** END OF SUNDARAKANDA ***

Hanuman reproduces at length the incident connected with a crow that took place during the sojourn of Sita with Sri Rama at Chitrakoota, related by her by way of a token, and further describes her piteous lament and the way in which she was comforted by Hanuman.Recitation: 00:00 - 07:24Translation: 07:27 - 17:43

Pressing to his bosom the jewel for the head sent by Sita and piteously wailing in many ways, Sri Rama urges Hanuman to repeat the message of Sita.Recitation: 00:00 - 02:47Translation: 02:51 - 07:06

Asked by Sri Rama to tell him the news about Sita, Hanuman apprises Sri Rama of her presence at the foot of a Shimshapa tree in the midst of ogresses and delivers her message after narrating the incidents related by her as a token.Recitation: 00:00 - 04:52Translation: 04:56 - 11:38

Returning to Madhuvana as commanded by Sugriva, and craving the forgiveness of Angada, Dadhimukha submits to the latter that he is urgently summoned by Sugriva. Set out in the company of Hanuman and others, and approaching Sugriva, Prince Angada apprises Sri Rama, after saluting him, of the discovery of Sita and other events.Recitation: 00:00 - 07:27Translation: 07:31 - 17:21

Having heard from the mouth of Dadhimukha the story of Madhivana having been laid waste by the monkeys, Sugriva concludes from the jubilation of the monkeys that Sita has been traced out. Comforting Dadhimukha, he asks him to send Angada and others without delay.Recitation: 00:00 - 05:50Translation: 05:53 - 13:40

Having entered Madhuvana and partaken of honey, as permitted by Hanuman, and singing and dancing like drunken people, the monkeys were forbidden by those guarding the grove and they belaboured the latter. Repulsed by them, the guards reported the matter to their leader, Dadhimukha, who appeared on the scene with his entourage and on remonstrating with the monkeys was thrashed by Angada, who dashed him to the ground. The guards headed by Dadhimukha then move en masse to Kishkindha to report the matter to Sugriva and bow down at the latter's feet.Recitation: 00:00 - 06:25Translation: 06:30 - 15:00

Set out from the Mahendra mountain in the direction of Kishkindha, the monkeys halt at Madhuvana, a grove guarded by the monkey Dadhimukha and most beloved of Sugriva, which falls on their way. When the monkeys began to enjoy the fruits of the grove with the permission of Prince Angada, Dadhimukha, comes in their way and is lacerated with their claws and teeth.Recitation: 00:00 - 04:38Translation: 04:42 - 10:27

Feeling encouraged by the tributes paid to his valour by his fellow monkeys, Price Angada undertakes to exterminate the entire ogre race including Ravana and bring back Sita from Lanka. Jambavan, however, who is more sagacious and practical-minded, discourages him by recourse to potent counter-arguments.Recitation: 00:00 - 03:39Translation: 03:43 - 09:12

Picturing to his fellow monkeys the said plight of Sita, and feeling that it behoved them all to see Sri Rama only after recovering Sita from Lanka, recounting the past heroic exploits of Jambavan and others, Hanuman incites them all to have recourse to the arbitrament of war.Recitation: 00:00 - 05:33Translation: 05:37 - 13:41

Enquired by Jambavan, seated along with the monkey hordes, Hanuman narrates in extenso how he saw Mount Mainaka in the course of his journey to Lanka, reached Lanka, beheld Janaka's daughter and returned to Mount Mahendra.Recitation: 00:00 - 27:08Translation: 27:11 - 01:00:53

Having leapt from the coast of Lanka and touching the Mainaka mountain, which he came across in the way, advancing further, Hanuman roars at the top of his voice at the sight of the Mahendra mountain in order to bring joy to the monkeys awaiting his return there. Jambavan tells the monkeys, who got up impetuously on hearing the roar, that Hanuman has returned successful from his expedition as was evident from his jubilant roar. Having greeted Jambavan and others on alighting on the summit of the Mahendra mountain, Hanuman narrates to them in a nutshell the story of his discovery of Sita. Applauding Hanuman, Prince Angada, who was eager to hear the story, sits down to do so on an extensive flat rock along with all. Recitation: 00:00 - 08:53Translation: 08:55 - 20:11

Hanuman sees Sita once more and bidding adieu to her, takes a leap across the sea.Recitation: 00:00 - 08:33Translation: 08:37 - 19:25

Seeing the whole of Lanka reduced to ashes and presuming Sita too to have shared its lot, Hanuman begins to reproach himself and gets overwhelmed with grief. In the meantime, he hears of her safety from the lips of Siddhas, Chaaranas (celestial bards) and others and feels comforted.Recitation: 00:00 - 06:03Translation: 06:06 - 15:12

Making up his mind to set fire to the city of Lanka, which was the only work left for him to do, and coming out into the open, Hanuman burns the entire city barring the abode of Vibhishana. Astonished to see the city burning, the gods and Gandharvas (celestial musicians) are filled with supreme joy.Recitation: 00:00 - 09:40Translation: 09:43 - 22:10

Wrapping up the tail of Hanuman in rags and soaking it in oil, and then lighting it up, the ogres, as urged by Ravana, take Hanuman round the city to the accompaniment of beats of drums. Hearing this news from the lips of the ogresses, Sita prays to the god of fire on oath to see that Hanuman remains unscathed. Climbing up the gate and shedding the fire by attenuating his body, and then resuming vast proportions and seizing the iron bar of the gate, Hanuman kills with it the ogres guarding the gate.Recitation: 00:00 - 07:53Translation: 07:56 - 18:14

Provoked by the harsh words of Hanuman, Ravana orders him to be put to death. Vibhishana, however, exhorts the latter to desist from this dastardly act, pointing out that the killing of an envoy is forbidden by the Shastras.Recitation: 00:00 - 05:53Translation: 05:57 - 13:52

Narrating the story of Sri Rama from the latter's entry into the forest, to his own sight of Sita being borne away by Ravana through the air over the Rshyamuka mountain, and celebrating the glory of Sri Rama, Hanuman points out to Ravana that if he longed to survive he should restore Sita to Sri Rama and that he should be prepared for the worst if, on the other hand, he chooses not to part with her.Recitation: 00:00 - 07:52Translation: 07:56 - 19:03